While dogs are often labelled as man’s best friend, it’s unfortunately not always the case. Some dogs can be vicious and pose threats to the safety of people, while others may act out and bite an individual due to unforeseen circumstances or stress.
Regardless of why a dog bites, it’s crucial that the victim understands their rights before choosing to pursue legal action for a dog bite.
When a person is bitten, they need to seek medical care right away. Dog bites can be dangerous and even life-threatening. It’s imperative for the victim to inform the medical staff how the bite happened, if the dog was feral, or if they suspect rabies so proper treatment can be given.
It’s also important that you get the information from witnesses who may have seen the attack and that you carefully document the events leading up to the bite. The main thing that people will be looking for in the event of a dog bite is whether the dog was dangerous and a threat to public safety or if this was a rare occurrence.
It’s a dog owner’s responsibility to keep the people around their animal safe from harm, and most of the time an owner is responsible for their dog’s actions. However, some places still have the “one bite” law into effect. Under this law, owners are only responsible for the victim’s injuries and damages if they knew the dog was a biter. If this is the first time the dog has bitten anyone, the owner is then on notice.
Victims need to be aware that their actions leading up to the bite can also play a big role in whether or not they can pursue a dog bite legal action. If the bite was provoked by the victim or the victim was trespassing or breaking the law while being bitten, the owner may not necessarily be held liable.
It’s important that you understand your rights as well as the laws concerning pursuing legal action in the event of a dog bite. If you’ve been injured by a dog and are looking to pursue legal action contact the experts at Mirian Law Firm. You may also call us at 1-844-888-8864.